Cushion-key for type-writers.



No. 832,617. PATENTED OCT. 9, 1906. G. W. MUNSON & T. F. HODGKISS. CUSHION KEY FOR TYPE WRITERS.

APPLIOATION FILED JUNE 1,1906.

I '1 5 a 1 i ".1 a mm r, l I I puny as), nmunnmuu/ invrrnn STATES PATENT enrich.

. GARRY W, MUNSON AND THOMAS F. HODGKISS, ()F' NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNORS TO MU NSON SUPPLY COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

chanson-KEY nos TYPE-WRITERS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 9, 1906.

Application filed June 1, 1906. Serial No- 319,799.

, county of New York and State of New York,

have invented new and useful Improvements 1n Cushion-Keys for TypeWVriters, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to certain new and I0 useful improvements in cushion-keys for type-writers and other key-operated. machines, and has to do particularly with. the yielding finger-impact-receiving cushion-ca p.

Heretofore in a general sense cushion attachments or appliances for keys of key-op erated machines have been proposed, but the are interiorlyhollow and depend altoget .er upon a so-called air-cushion. Such prior devices do not completely and satisfac- -torily answer all the requirements and are particularly open to the objections that they yield excessively under finger impact in the o eration of the machine, that after brief use t e resiliency of what may be termed the crown or impact-receiver of the device is impaired and the crown assumes an undeslrable cup-like or collapsed state, and that in the practical use of prior contrivances by reason of the manner of formation and con- 3o nection thereofwith the finger-key after comparatively brief use under intermittent finger impact the material of the cushion device is cut into by the medium which connects it to the finger-kc with the result that its usefulness is soon estroyed.

This invention has for its object to provide a thoroughly-eficient cushion-key or cushion attachment for keys so constructed and arranged. and connected to the key of the in i 40 strument when in the form of an attachment that while obviating the objections existing to rior contrivances, as above mentioned, an as otherwiseex stmg insaid prior contrivances, provides a cushion finger-impact- 4 5 receiving keythe crown of which is supported against excessive yielding,-and, additionally, such a device in which means for supporting the finger-impact-receiving crown serves also to assist the inherent resiliency of such crown to maintain its initial and normal as contradistinguished from a collapsed condition.

The invention also has for its object to provlde such a device in which the linger-impactreceiving crown has a peripheral wall relatively stout as compared with the other p0rtions of the cushion-cap whereby the practical yielding of the device under finger impact is in the crown, which is interiorly and cen-. trally supported by means relatively less resistant than the peripheral wall Finally, the invention has for its object to provide a cushion fingerimpact-receiving cap for keys of key-operated machines so arranged and connected to the keysof the machine that its form is maintained'against outward spreading and inward collapsing.

With the foregoing objects in view the invention consists in a device or attachment comprising the construction and possessing the features and advantages hereinbefore and hereinafter described, and then referred to in the appended claims. In this connection it is to be understood that the invention within its field is claimed in respect of its generic features and also additionally and as important items of invention in respect of the details referred to in the description and specifically referred to in some of the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings, illustrating the invention, Figure 1 is a view showing a key of a key-operated machine in elevation with the device of this invention attached thereto and shown in vertical cross-section. Fig. 2 illustrates in perspective the members comprised in the cushion element of the device shown separated. Fig. 3 is a View similar to Fig. l of a different form or embodiment of the invention. Fig. 4 shows in perspective separated the members comprising the cushion element of the type of device shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a sectional view of another form of a device embodying the invention, and Fig. 6 the same.

Premising that several types of the generic invention are shown in the drawings, of which types that illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 is the is a perspective view of preferred, the reference-numeral 1 designates the head of a key of a key-operated machine,- such as a type-Writer or the like, and 2 the stem.

The reference-numeral 3 designates generally the medium by which the cushion-cap is attached or connected to the key, and, as illustrated in the preferred example of the to a desirably appreciable degree lateral ure, of the walls '12 under finger impact. The wall 9 or the socket in which the cushion-cap As shown, the attaching or connecting me dium is formed of a tubular section 5, of metal,

conforming in cross-sectional aspect to the size and cross-sectional characteristic of the key-head. This section of material an open bottom and a closed top and is at its closed end turned inwardly upon itself, as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 3, to provide a diaphragm or seat 6, which rests upon the key-head 1, a chamber 7 to receive oriit over defined by a marginal wall 9, in the illustrated example consisting of the double thickness of the section 5 to receive thecushion element 4. The cushion element, as shown, consists of a rubber cap comprising a crown 10, having a rela tively stout depending peripheral. supporting- This depending wall is reduced, and the upstanding wall 9 embraces and closely engages and. braces the depeni'ling wall of the cushion ele- The reduction of the area of the de pendingwall of the cushion member results in a shoulder 11, which laps over the upper the key-head 1, and a socket 8,

wall 11, which rests upon the seat 6.

Inent.

edge of the confining-wall 9.

The iinger-impact-receiving crown 10 is supported centrally for the purpose of preyenting excessive yielding thereof and to avoid the objections hereinbefore referred to This is accomplished in the preferred form illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 bymeans of inner walls 12 of relatively less resistance or, conversely, of greater yielding quality than the peripheral wall 11, bridging across and connecting diaas existing in the prior devices.

metrically pposite points of said wall 11.

The inner or central supporting-walls 12, as shown, are relatively thinner than the peripheral supporting-wall 11 and are thus less resistive or of greater yielding capacity, and. when they are formed integral with the crown and the wall 11 they serve the further useful function of spreaders for the latter,

connecting diametrically opposite portions of said Wall, as it were, together and preventing the wall 11 in actual use from becoming misshapen or falling down by otherwise possible inward canting thereof. The crossing crown-supporting walls 12 result in pockets 13 interiorl oithc cap, which pockets are filled by bloc s of rubber it, conform ing to the size and shape of the pockets. The Lblocks '14 are of softer rubber than that of which the cap. roper is' constructed, and they serve, toget or with the crown-support r 'ing' walls 12, to maintain the normal form of the. device in continued use'thereof and rpisist ex is arranged surrounds the peripheral wall 11 and hugs the same closely exteriorly, thus affording firm and secure lateral support therefor, preventing the distortion or falling thereof.

The cap 4 may be securely held in place in the socket 8 and resting against the diaphragm-sear 6 by any suitable means, as by glue, and, if desired, this may be supplemented by burs 15, which penetrate the wall 11 of the cushion-cap. As thus organized the cushion-cap has been found in practice thoroughly eliicient, presenting a finger-impact receiver which while having the desired yielding or cushion quality is yet supported against excessive yielding or collapsing and is so guarded and protected in its association with the machine-key that its normal form is maintained and its durability greatly increased. Each element serves a designed function, and they cooperate with each other to provide an eminently satisfactory device. in actual normal use the relatively stout depending wall 11 sufficiently withstands the ringer-pressure, the yielding or cushion qual ity of the device residing mainly in the crown thereof, the degree of yielding of which is regulated by. means of the supporting-walls 12 and the filler-blocks 144, of soft rubber, while inward .canting of the depending Wall 11 is prevented by the crown-supporting the cap is externally supported against distortion and disfo'rination by means of the wall 9.

While that which has been described as the preferred form is the one we recommend in practice, having been found thoroughly ellicient and satisfactory, we do not desire to be understood as restricting the invention in some of its aspects to this particular form. The results aimed at and attained may be secured, though perhaps in not so great a measure, if the soft-rubber filler-blocks are not utilized. Therefore in the broader view of our invention we recognize the possibility of leaving these blocks out.

In Figs. 3 and 4: a diilerent form of the generic invention is shown, in which form the crossing crown-supporting walls 12 and filler-blocks '14 are substituted by a single soft-rubber filler-block 14, conforming in shape to and fillin the interior cavity of the cap. This filler-b ock 14 'the crown 10 against excessive ielding and also to brace the depending wal s 11- against inward canting in use.

' In Figs. 5 and 6 another form of the generic invention is shown, in which the finger impact-receiving crown is sup orted b a centrally-disposed annular wa-l 12* of less resistance than the depending wall 11 of the crown. It is desirable and it is recommended that filler-blocks 14*, Fig. 6, or sections of ap' ropriate form and size be introduced into t e space between the peripheral. wall l1 walls 12 and the filler-blocks 14, and finally down of said walls by an outward canting serves to support seasicsidered to be the best known forms of securing the desirable results designed for the de-- vice, and that form shown in Fi s. 1 and-2 is by us' regarded as the preferab 'e one; We. wislk it clearly understood, however, that.

within the broader aspects of the invention we do notlimitourselves to either of the iorlms shown, which in this respect may be regarded as illustrative merely.

' ters Batent', is-

1'. A cushion-key or .key-cap comprising a Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new, and desire to secure by Let.

yielding crown, a relatively stout peripheral supporting-wall and a yielding inner or central. crown-su port of relatively less resistancefthan said peripheral supp()rting-wall located opposite the finger-impact-receiving portiono the crown.

2;. A cushion or key-cap comprising ayielding crown, a relatively stout peripheralsupporting- Wall and a ielding inner or central crown-support consisting of a wall of relatively less resistance than said peripheral wall and formed integral with said crown and peripheral wall located opposite the finger-1mpact-receiving portion of the crown.

3. A cushion-key or key-cap comprising a yielding crown, a'relatively stout peripheral supporting-wall,.and a yielding inner or central crown-support consisting of walls of relatively less resistance'than said peripheral wall and formed integral with said crown and pe ripheral wall and located opposite the fingerimpact-recciving portion of the crown, and a support embracing said peripheral walls and coacting with the crown-supporting wall to maintain the operative position of said peripheral wall.

4.- A cushion-key or key-cap comprising a yielding crown, a relatively stout peripheral supporting-wall and an inner or central crown-support consisting of walls formed integral with said crown and peripheral wall and bridging across between diametrically vopposite points of the latter. 1 p

5. A cushion-key or key-cap comprising a yielding crown, a relatively stout peripheral supporting-wall, an inner or central crownsupporting wall of relatively less resistance than said peripheral wall, and filler-blocks of greater yielding quality than the material of jing a yiel yielding crown, a relatively the key or cap, occupying the interior pock' et'swithinsaid cr'own.

6. The combination of an. attaching memher having a chamber to receive a key-head,

a socket to receive a cushion-cap having a. cap-supporting wall,

and an intervening seat; and a cushion-cap compris ng crown, a relatively stout peripheral supporting-wall disposed in said socket within said cap-supporting wall, and an inner or: central crown-supporting wall of relatively less resistance'than said wall. v I

7. The combination of an attaching memher having a chamber to receive a key-head,

cushion-ca i a socket to receive a cushion-cap having a cap-supporting wall and an intervening cushion-cap seat a cushion-cap comprising a stout peripheral supporting-Wall disposed in said socket within said cap's'upporting wall, an inner'or central crown-support consisting of cross-walls formed integral with the crown-supporting, depending peripheral wall and connecting peripheral diametrically opposite portions of said wall;

and filler-blocks occupying the pockets within said cap.

8. In a cushion-key for key-operated machines, a cushion-cap 4, having a crown 10, a relatively stout depending wall 11, and inner or central crown-supporting walls 12 relatively less resistant than wall 11, and a plurality of yielding filler-blocks 14 interposed between the crown 10 and seat 6.

9. In a cushion-key attachment for keyoperated machines, a connecting' mechanism 3 having aseat 6, chamber 7, socket 8, and wall 9, a cushion-cap 4 having a crown 10, a

relatively stout depending wall 11 fitted in the socket 8 within wall 9, and inner or cen tral crown-supporting walls 12 relatively less resistant than wall 11.

10. In a cushion-key attachment for keyoperated machines, a connecting mechanism 3, having a seat 6, chamber 7, socket 8, and wall 9, a cushion-cap 4 having a crown 10, a relatively stout depending wall 11 fitted in the socket 8 within wall 9, inner or central crown-supporting walls 12 relatively less resistant than wall 11, and filler-blocks 14 in terposed between the crown 10 and seat 6.

In testimony whereof we have hereunto set our hands in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

GARRY W. MUNSO'N'. TlHOMAS F. HODGKISS. Witnesses: 1

JOHN F. MCDONALD, Frannnaro O. ADAMS.

ICC 

